The potential of microbiome modulators to improve quality of life in cancer survivors through gut microbiome-immune interactions

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Advancements in oncology research have led to the development of highly effective and safe cancer treatments, resulting in increased survival rates from cancer. However, treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and combination regimens suppress or modulate the immune system, contributing to the development of multi-organ dysfunctions in cancer survivors. Cognitive impairment (CI) and bowel dysfunctions are adverse outcomes commonly reported in cancer survivors and collectively hamper quality of life (QoL). Therefore, it is critical to develop strategies to improve or protect from these side effects and improve QoL in cancer survivors. The gut microbiome is a superlative regulator of human health and abnormalities in its composition and function (gut dysbiosis) contribute to many disease pathologies. Emerging studies suggest that cancer treatments significantly perturb the gut microbiota composition, impacting several peripheral organs, including the gut and brain. Gut dysbiosis also impacts the immune system, suggesting that cancer treatment-mediated gut microbiome alterations can alter brain health through the gut microbiome-immune axis. Thus, beneficial modulation of the microbiome through probiotics, prebiotics, and other interventions may be a feasible approach for improving cognitive function, gut health, and/or QoL in cancer survivors via gut microbiome-immune interactions. The purpose of this review is to report the prevalence of and mechanisms contributing to CI and gut dysfunctions in cancer survivors as well as provide a comprehensive review of the potential of microbiome modulators for improving gut and brain health and QoL in these cohorts, through the gut microbiome-immune axis. Additional studies are warranted to fully elucidate the effects and mechanisms of microbiome modulators in cancer survivors.